Friday, March 26, 2010

Dirty Little Secret

What is it? I watch television online. Whats worse is the show that I enjoy watching:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Now I'm not going to discuss the hypocritical aspects of a Christian watching such an obviously demonic show, instead I'd like to share the insight I've gained from what I watched tonight...but in defense of the show, the demonic/spiritual aspect is really a comical parody. The point is found within the stories and within the characters. This however, shall be left up for debate.

Stories are very important, and we can always learn from people, the important thing is what we have learned. What I observed in this episode overwhelmingly emphasized the spiritual condition of man.

Main character Andrew foolishly goes around making stories of the lives around him and all the while creating his own life story that is completely ridiculous and not at all how his life had carried out. In the last 5 minutes however, he finds himself confronted with the truth of what he has done in his life and breaks down and cries. Even in the face of his redemption, he cannot find fulfillment because he cannot erase what he has done.

This is how I've felt many times and I think reflects how many people feel. Constantly trying to balance the scales so that Good will lean in our favor, but that simply is not how the world works. When we do something wrong, we can expect to pay the penalty for it. What have we done? We've sinned against God....how can we ever make up for wronging God? I mean, we feel enough guilt when we've hurt somebody we love, but what about when we hurt somebody who loves us?

Often we view God as that guy/girl who we know is in love with us, and we don't see it as a bad thing necessarily so we taunt and tease and give a little of ourselves to that person but we'd never really commit to them relationally because they really aren't what we are looking for. That is because we search for vanity, stature, appearance, and protection instead of security. Maybe we aren't secure in thinking that that awkward person who loves you totally will totally love us forever. Maybe we think that, "if they only knew who I really was they would definitely flee as far from me," but remember who we are talking about here, GOD!

God is not that awkward person that you would rather do without, but He does love you totally and will never cease to do so. However, if we do not choose Him, He cannot take us in and give us what Andrew was really in need of...forgiveness.

What strikes me most about finding such a story here, is the character who represents every sinner before God. Andrew. In a world full of powerful people, bold and courageous, mankind is best represented in the quivering geek, because that is who we are. We are people trying to make our own story out of what has happened in our lives and we look like fools doing it. I could theologize the rest of the show, heck I've already done that, but I am at an unease to find that I am not the hero in this life, not even a noble sidekick. I am the scrub.

It is, however, desperately important, in regards to the Gospel, for us to realize this. We are nothing in a vast and amazing world that God has written out before time began. We have no means to erase the wrongs we've done and no matter how much we try and even succeed, it will never be enough. That is why we have John 6:29. It is the work of God in and throughout our entire experience, even in our faith. God showed us that love that we don't naturally believe in, but if we do take that gift and receive all that God wishes for us, we'll see this simple, plain, boring life story we're living, transform into the hero story we've been dreaming about. For we will become children of God [John 1:12]. With God and steering the wheel of your life, could it possibly go anywhere but to glory? [John 14:12]

26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

30So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."